Visitor Information

We’re building the future - for you. The German Mining Museum (DBM) in Bochum is being renovated in 2017, all of the exhibits will be rearranged, and the DBM will receive a brand new permanent collection. For our visitors, this all means that the above-ground exhibition hall will no longer be open. From 27 November 2017 until summer 2018 our headframe will also be closed for safety reasons.

Please note that the entrance to the museum is now at the DBM+ extension entrance on Europaplatz/Schillerstraße. You can access the visitor’s mine from there. Our museum shop will also be moved during the restoration works, which you can also find on Schillerstraße.

Information about the restoration works

valid from August 2016

We are always striving to give our visitors the most enjoyable and hassle-free visit we can, even during restoration works.

Please note that we are currently unable to guarantee barrier-free access while the restoration works take place. We therefore kindly ask visitors with wheelchairs or pushchairs to contact our visitor’s centre before your visit.

Please check in advance how the restoration works will affect your visit at www.bergbaumuseum.de/umbau or call us on +49 (0) 234 5877 126 (during opening hours, closed Mondays).

Visitors

If you’d like to explore the DBM on your own, you can buy a ticket for your tour when you arrive (Tue-Thu between 08.30 and 15.30, Fri between 08.30 and 13.00). Advanced bookings are not available.

Groups

Tours of 10 people or more can only be arranged in advance by calling +49 (0) 234 5877 126 (closed Mondays). (Tue-Thu between 08.30 and 15.30, Fri between 08.30 and 13.00).

On weekdays the mine can only be explored as part of a tour. On Fridays after 14.00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the mine can be explored alone using an audio guide. Our additional short guided tours can be found here.

School Groups and Workshops

More information on visiting with school groups can be found here. Due to the restoration works taking place at the DBM, changes to our museum teaching services, as well as our workshops and school group services are possible. We therefore kindly ask you to check the relevant information on our website or contact our visitor’s centre atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on +49 (0) 234 5877 126 (closed Mondays).

Public tours during local school holidays and public holidays

At these times, only audio tours will be available. Please check our website for the latest activities and tours.

Opening Hours

Monday

Closed

Tuesday – Friday

8:30 – 17:00

Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays

10:00 – 17:00

Easter Monday, Whitmonday

10:00 – 17:00

1 January, 1 May, 24 – 26 and 31 December

Closed

We regret that we’re unable to issue any tickets after 16:30.

We reserve the right to make last-minute changes to our opening hours.

Last underground tour: 15:30

Please note that animals are not permitted on the museum site.

For safety reasons, pushchairs cannot be taken into the visitor's mine. Thank you for your understanding.

1)School pupils, students, apprentices, unemployed and disabled visitors; late entry after 15:30 (visiting the mines is no longer possible after this time).

2)Valid for 2 adults with up to 4 children (aged 6 - 17). Children under 6 are free.

3)Valid for pass holders only. Up to 3 adults accompanying the pass holder can enter for just €3.00 each.

Press card holders may enter for free. For special exhibits, please email your accreditation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Members of the German Museum Association and ICOM pass holders may enter the museum for free.

Adults who have previously visited the planetarium get a €1 discount on entry to the DBM. Admission for children is reduced by €0.50.

A tour through the mining experience is included in the entry fee.

Visitors arriving late will not be permitted to join the mining experience tour.

Vouchers Tickets to the museum can also be bought as vouchers either in person (Tue-Sun until 16.30) or by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Vouchers do not have an expiry date. For further information, call us on +49 (0) 234 5877 126.

Accessibility

Visitors with reduced mobility can enter the museum without assistance via a lift next to the main entrance. Separately signposted parking spaces are available close to the entrance. Please note that we are unable to guarantee barrier-free access to the mine during restauration works. Please contact our visitor’s centre before your visit.Our museum offers a range of experiences for visitors with disabilities, and individually tailored tours are available for groups of disabled visitors. Please enquire in advance. We will be happy to discuss any questions you may have before your visit.Please contact our visitor’s centre in advance during restoration works, who will be able to help with your visit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +49 (0) 234 5877 126 (closed Mondays).

Food & Drink

Photo: Ulrike Wetzel

Due to the restoration works, our bistro at the DBM has been relocated. Food and drink is now available during opening hours at a catering station directly opposite the DBM+ on Europaplatz.MondayClosedTuesday – Friday09:30 – 17:00Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays10:30 – 17:001 January, 1 May, 24 – 26 and 31 DecemberClosed

Museum Shop

Photo: Seda Karaoglu

Our museum shop will remain open for your all throughout the restoration works: from 1 August, you’ll find it in DBM’s former restaurant. Visitors can access the shop from the entrance on Schillerstraße. But you can also visit our online shop any time you wish, if you’re looking for that special souvenir.

From the A 40, exit at BO-Zentrum, following the signs towards the city centre (Zentrum).After about 2km you’ll see the DBM on your left-hand side.

From the A 43, exit at Bochum Riemke/Zentrum, following the signs towards the city centre (Zentrum).After about 4km you’ll see the DBM on your left-hand side.

Visitors can either park in the public parking areas around the museum or the car park at the junction between Am Bergbaumuseum and Herner Straße. At the weekend, the police carpark onSchillerstraße is also available to our visitors. There are seven parking spaces for buses in front of the museum.

Cycle Tourists

The local bike share system, metropolradruhr, has a station directly in front of the museum. Two major cycleways pass close by the museum: the Ruhrtal-Radweg (Ruhr Valley Cycleway), a 4-star route combining nature and culture allowing you to discover the Ruhr area, and the Erlebnis-Radweg Erzbahntrasse (Ore Railroad Cycleway), which crosses several spectacular bridges.